Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Cannabis Industry
While cannabis is a unique and rapidly growing industry, workers at cannabis businesses still face common workplace industry risks. This includes repetitive motion injuries.
What are Repetitive Motion Injuries?
Repetitive motion injuries are injuries that occur from doing the same movements throughout the workday. In the cannabis industry, some examples of repetitive movements might include:
- Trimming cannabis crops
- Extracting cannabis products
- Using the same machinery, like trimmers
- Lifting boxes of products or other supplies
- Packaging or labeling cannabis products
Common Repetitive Motion Injuries for Cannabis Industry Workers
In the cannabis industry, some of the most common types of repetitive motion injuries include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This injury affects the median nerve in the wrist, and leads to issues like numbness and pain in the hand and fingers.
- Tendonitis: Tendonitis occurs when tendons become inflamed. It most commonly affects the wrists and forearms. For cannabis workers with tendonitis, symptoms include swelling, pain, and a reduced range of motion.
- Bursitis: Bursitis affects the bursae, the small and fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints. When the bursae become inflamed due to repetitive motion, it causes symptoms like pain and limited mobility. Bursitis most commonly impacts the wrists, shoulders, and elbows.
- Rotator cuff injuries: This injury impacts the rotator cuff in the shoulder, leading to pain and decreased shoulder function. Rotator cuff injuries often occur from repeatedly lifting heavy objects.
Reducing Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Cannabis Industry
While repetitive motion injuries are fairly common, they are also very preventable. If you’re a business owner in the cannabis industry, you can prevent repetitive motion injuries through safety steps like:
- Safety training on preventing and reducing repetitive motion injuries
- Risk management to find and reduce common repetitive motion risks
- Task rotation to keep employees from performing the same motions or using the same equipment for long periods of time
- Frequent breaks, particularly for workers performing repetitive labor
At your cannabis industry business, you should also offer strong Workers’ Compensation coverage. With the right coverage, you can protect your business and your employees against common industry risks, including repetitive motion injuries. However, it can be difficult to find the coverage you need, especially if you are facing challenges like lapsed coverage, audit issues, or multi-state risks.
At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we help business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions.To learn more about our services and how we can help your business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
